Thornbridge Brewery is named ‘best drink producer’

Thornbridge Brewery, based in Bakewell, has been named Best Drink Producer at the BBC Food Awards 2014.

The firm was chosen out of hundreds of entries by a judging panel, which was led by Victoria Moore and Pete Brown.

The award is presented to the company that uses “carefully sourced ingredients and skill to produce an outstanding drink”.

Jim Harrison and Rob Lovatt, of Thornbridge Brewery, said were both “delighted” with the accolade.

Rob said: “I’ve just returned from the World Beer Cup with a medal for our beer and so to win this award so soon after is a real testament to the hard work all my team put in day in and day out.”

Pete Brown commented: “Every time I go there, there are new surprises, and they had plenty more this time.

“Thornbridge are exploring the vast library of beer styles that already exist around the world, mastering them in turn.

“Having made their name with cask ale and then American style craft beers, they’re now exploring classic German styles such as Kolsch and Weizen.”

With the number of entries in the category doubling in 2014, Victoria Moore said the task was “incredibly tough”, however added that Thornbridge was “the one we were talking about weeks after the visit”.

The brewery has won numerous awards over the past few years.

This year alone it won silver in the World Beer Cup, gold at the SIBA BeerX awards and the Best Brewery title at the Exposed Awards.

The firm also won several awards at the Dublin Craft Beer Cup.

Jim Harrison said: “Whilst we have won many awards in the brewing industry to win one across a wider range of drinks, given the tough competition, is indeed an honour and a reflection on the quality we aim to achieve at Thornbridge.”

For further information on Thornbridge Brewery is available by visiting the company’s website, www.thornbridgebrewery.co.uk